Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Valley Station

It happened on the tracks near Valley Station and Deering roads in southwest Jefferson County.

The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Christopher Frazier.

Family members said he was wearing headphones and likely never heard the train coming.

Neighbors said they were stunned to see such a sight on the railroad tracks next to their homes.

"We just heard the train with the horn," said neighbor Patty Avila.

Police said that a P&L train was heading out of Jefferson County just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, when the man was hit by the massive machine.

"Preliminary investigation reveals apparently a black male was walking along the railroad tracks, apparently didn't see the train and was struck by the train," said Louisville Metro Police spokesman Dwight Mitchell.

Frazier lived less than a mile from where he was hit.

"It's a horrific accident. I'm sure it's going to be horrific for the victim's family and obviously, we want to give them some closure," said Mitchell.

Many of Frazier's family members showed up at the scene.

A couple of them said they believe Frazier was wearing headphones and listening to music on the way home from work and likely never even heard the train coming.

The family said he walked that route every day.

"It's awful. His parents are probably just devastated," said Avila.

Avila lives nearby and said it's not uncommon to see people walking along the tracks. But as a parent of two teenage sons, she said it's hard to imagine having to go through the pain Frazier's family is feeling right now.

"As a parent, it's hard. It crushes my heart," said Avila. "He still had his life ahead of him."

A family member said Frazier was the father of a young child who was just about a week away from turning 2 months old.